Bridge Industrial, a privately-owned, vertically integrated real estate operating company and investment manager, announced today the formation of its environmental, social, governance (ESG) program and that it is working with ESG consultancy firm Verdani Partners to ensure the smooth integration of the newly established program throughout the company’s corporate culture. In establishing the program, Bridge aims to create lasting value through sustainability.
To help spearhead the program, Bridge promoted Francesca De Amicis as the firm’s Vice President of Operations and Sustainability. In this role, Francesca will be responsible for the implementation of policies and strategies which support and drive the organization’s ESG goals and will facilitate coordination between Bridge and Verdani.
“We are impressed with Verdani’s track record of developing industry leading ESG programs for commercial real estate portfolios. At Bridge, we want to demonstrate ESG leadership, and with Verdani’s partnership, we feel confident that we can make significant strides toward reaching net zero emissions and advancing decarbonization efforts in the industrial sector,” said De Amicis.
As part of its comprehensive ESG program, Bridge has established environmental, social, and governance initiatives that align with the company’s visioned corporate impact.
Environmental – Bridge seeks to create value through innovative and sustainable practices that centre around environmental conservation, decarbonization, and resilience. To do so, Bridge will focus on operational excellence for reduced resource intensity as well as strategic positioning in green buildings and climate resilient assets to improve energy efficiency and ensure the longevity of its portfolio.
Social – Through emphasis on engagement and education, health and well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Bridge believes in fostering a healthy, vibrant, and diverse workforce, partnerships, and communities. To drive positive community impact, Bridge tailors its projects to meet local community needs and involves itself in community improvement initiatives that extend beyond individual asset performance.
Governance – Priding itself on strong business ethics, transparency, and integrity, Bridge is committed to creating lasting value for stakeholders by infusing ESG into its corporate identity and leading through demonstrated performance.
“As the industrial sector continues to experience tremendous growth and seemingly unlimited demand, we believe it is our job as a leader in the industry to take the initiative on driving sustainable efforts in the sector,” said Steve Groetsema, Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Bridge. “Discussions around ESG and sustainability are not new to the commercial real estate industry, but the conversation holds more gravity now than ever before as we witness first-hand the irrefutable need for greater resilience and regeneration of assets. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this conversation, working diligently to create lasting value for our tenants and investors alike.”
Bridge has already demonstrated commitment to ESG excellence by partnering with USGBC, ULI Greenprint, EPA’s Energy Star Program, ISSP and Measurabl, all leading organizations in sustainability. With assistance from Verdani, Bridge will strengthen alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), establish a roadmap strategy to reach net zero emissions across all operations, and will report to the GRESB Real Estate Assessment for the first time this year.